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Guide To PPWR: The Packaging And Packaging Waste Regulation 

The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is reshaping how packaging is designed, labelled, and recycled across the EU.

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What Is The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) ?

The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is the European Union’s legislative overhaul to tackle waste, over-packaging, and plastic pollution across the EU market.

Whether you manufacture, import, fill, or distribute packaged goods in the EU, PPWR will reshape how your packaging is designed, labeled, reused, and recycled.

The PPWR replaces the current Packaging Waste Directive with a directly applicable regulation across all EU countries accelerating the shift to a circular packaging economy.

PPWR sets clear, mandatory requirements for:

Packaging design & recyclability

Recycled content in plastic packaging

Reuse & refill systems

Waste prevention and reduction targets

Harmonized labeling across the EU

Scope

All actors in the packaging supply chain, including:

Manufacturers of packaging materials and components

Brand owners and product packagers

E-commerce retailers and platforms

Importers and distributors of packaged goods


 

 

Packaging levels:

Primary: Direct packaging (e.g. yogurt cup, shampoo bottle)

Secondary: Grouped packaging (e.g. shrink-wrap around cans)

Tertiary: Transport packaging (e.g. pallet wrap, shipping boxes)

Tentative Timeline

Timeline PPWR

Why PPWR Matters ?

Reduce packaging waste by 15% by 2040

Ensure all packaging is recyclable by 2030

Cut unnecessary and over-sized packaging

Eliminate problematic materials and excess plastic

🛠️ Discover our eudr solution

Packaging must be designed to limit harmful substances.


This means keeping dangerous chemicals and microplastics to a minimum — not just in the packaging itself, but also in what’s released during recycling, disposal, or reuse.

What Does Compliance Involve ?

Make Sure To:

Design packaging that meets recyclability performance grades

Limit unnecessary packaging volume and weight

Meet minimum recycled content targets for plastic

Offer reuse systems in certain sectors (e.g., food service)

Use harmonized sorting labels on all consumer packaging

Report packaging metrics to authorities under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

Companies Are Expected To: 

Report packaging volumes by type and material to national authorities

Provide data under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes

Declare recyclability classification of packaging

Report on reused/refilled units for reuse targets (e.g., beverage bottles)

Disclose use of recycled content in plastic packaging

Use the Digital Product Passport (DPP) for traceability 

 

❗The proposed regulation mandates that packaging must include detailed information about its composition, recyclability, and environmental footprint. A DPP is one of the most efficient ways to provide and manage this data across the supply chain.


What’s Required:

Sorting instructions: Packaging must be labeled with clear icons showing how and where to dispose of it (recycle, compost, etc.).

Material codes: Symbols for plastic types, fiber types, or mixed materials

QR codes: May be required to access detailed recyclability or product passport data

Reuse/refill instructions: For reusable packaging, including cleaning/reuse instruction

Labels must be consistent across all Member States and visible on both primary and outer packaging.

Recyclability Grading (A–D)

All packaging will be assessed and graded based on how recyclable it is:

Grade A – Fully recyclable at scale with high material recovery

Grade B – Recyclable, but with minor limitations

Grade C – Limited recyclability, often due to mixed materials

Grade D – Not recyclable in practice or at scale


❗By January 1, 2030: All packaging must achieve at least Grade C recyclability (≥ 70%).

❗By January 1, 2038: Only packaging with Grade A or B recyclability (≥ 80%) will be permitted on the EU market

Harmonised Labelling Across The EU

PPWR introduces EU-wide packaging labels to help consumers sort waste correctly. Labels must:

Clearly indicate the material type (e.g. plastic, paper, glass)

Include disposal instructions using standard icons

Match the labels on bins/collection systems

Be linked to digital information (e.g. QR codes)

Bans And Restrictions

Strict limitations on how much PFAS is allowed in food-contact packaging (from Aug 2026)

Unnecessary single-use packaging (e.g. for fresh unprocessed fruit and vegetables) 

Packaging with excessive empty space in shipments

Proving Your Packaging Is Recycled At Scale (Starting 2030)

By 1 January 2030, the EU will introduce a chain of custody mechanism to prove that packaging is actually being recycled at scale, not just designed to be.

This system will require:

Documentation showing how much packaging waste is collected and sent to recycling. 

A verification process so manufacturers can track recycling through the supply chain — from collection to actual processing.

🔍The chain of custody system is used behind the scenes for compliance, to show regulators that your packaging truly gets recycled in practice. It involves:

Technical documentation (e.g. weight of packaging recycled)

Verified data from downstream partners (e.g. recyclers, waste handlers)

 

PPWR checklist

📘 Download Your PPWR Checklist

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